The GT-E was only available for a few brief months in 1968. Total production would not have kept the assembly line busy for more than a half day. If you know anything about a GT-E, it is important, and this is the place to share it. The GT-E registry is maintained by Jim Pinkerton.

Over the next couple of months or more, I will share pictures of this old gal.
She's an unusual cat that survived the cruelty of neglect mostly.
Sporting just over 72k miles , I have begun a meticulous task of returning the car to all original parts for now.
Some of you already know her,or used to.
Anybody with any information of her past life,should contact me.
As I don't know much about the original owner!
[CCCGallery]

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Neal Jacobson.
1970 XR-7 White "Ginger"
1970 XR-7 Convertible Blue
1971 XR-7 Bright Blue with Blue "Up Beat" interior
1970 Standard 428CJ Competition Yellow The New Money Pit.
See ya on the hiways, The political and commercial morals of the United States are not merely food for laughter,
they are an entire banquet.
- Mark Twain -

What's your part of the GTE 's story? It with be cool to see and hear more about your rare Cougar.
Steven

My part of the story began over 30 years ago. After selling my 66 and 67' Mustangs. I had a 1966 Mustang coupe in high school and always liked the Cougar.
After H.S., I found a 1967 Mustang Fastback with a 289 A code Four speed transmission and 4.11.1 posi rear.
Drove that for over two years with no heater, until breaking the flexplate. Long story, but sold it because of no where to store it at the time. A couple years later I found a 1967 Mustang Convertible with deluxe interior. Midnight Blue with black top and matching deluxe interior. Restored it ,and showed it for about 11 years before selling to a gentleman in Cal.
In the meantime about 1986, my wife's coworker had a limefrost green 1967 GT minus the original 390 GT engine and transmission.
Still sporting 10' view original paint, I made a deal and decided to install a 351 4V Cleveland Motor (I just had machined and personally assembled.)and C-6 trans.motor was from a 1970 Cougar.
Later I restored this to a Candyapple red from the 1966 Mustang code.This was used as a daily driver for me and my wife for over 14 years. In the meantime I bought and sold several more Cougars and even a 1972 Mustang H.O.
The Cougars ranged from X codes to several XR-7 GT's to Several more 69 and 70 R and Q codes. Some came and went, but most decided to stay.

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But this isn't about me,it's about a very unique car and I look forward to sharing the story!
More to come soon!

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My source of information is based on parting out and assembling at least 20 cars, years 1967-1970 mostly Cougars.
Also I have used sources like Jim P., Royce P.,Hank Huisman, just to name a few.
I hope I inspired several resto projects since my magazine coverage , way back in 2003?
I recently picked up Don Skinners Mysterious Cougar GTE book. Once picked up,hard to put down. As I was reading I couldn't help to note an error.(he later explained)
A few sentences down he revised his statement to 2 GTE's were known to be produced with the Convience Control Panel.
Well Don if you're reading this,you'll have to revise your second edition to 3.

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Backside of 427 scoop "date of 2-26-68". I can't recall seeing a date on my other red 427 car , never pulled the black scoop.

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543072 was bucked on 2-29-68. Scheduled build date March 08,1968.
A retail order shipped to San Diego CA., believed to have resided here until late 1977, until parked.
The story I recall was,it was being transported and someone noticed the car and followed or flagged the owners attention.
Apparently a deal was struck and the car eventually ended up Michigan. So I'm guessing it sat in storage for 15 years,before finding the P.O., who was helped to "get it back on the road". It's now in the hand's of a Cougar guy!
I have the passion this car needs, and demands.
That's where I came in. I couldn't help but notice the car at the 50th Anniversary of the Mercury Cougar Show in Dearborn.
The Cats there put on a Great Show!
The Arrival Day! We get the call and meet the driver near the local church.
He unloads a 1941 Chevrolet Truck after some trouble with the brakes. The driver then prepares to backup the Ferrari behind my Cougar,which are on the second level(top). After some moments he exits the car assuming it's in park. Within a few seconds it's rolling out of the trailer unmanned and rolling at a good clip, I can't help but snap a picture and assume the worst.
If I was betting I thought for sure it was a goner.

Luckily the frame slowed the car enough to stop it from rolling off.
My Cat was next, crossing my fingers.
The Cougar made it here safe and sound, now the fun begins.
I have been up and down the car,and could only find a 1" long crack in left rear quarter. Solid everywhere else and all original sheet metal!
Except for the hood, what a bummer, some very minor rust in front lip inside, and Augusta Green showing behind the hood insulation.
What's the odds anyone has an original 1968 Cardinal Red hood that's rust free?
Oh wait I do , one of the many benefits of being a Scrapper!
So I guess I can call it all original paint now, other than a couple of minor touch-ups.
I'll put a high speed polisher to it , after a touch up.
Anyone want all the repro. Crap, I'm pulling off of it ?

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Here's the thing that I've been struggling with. When the car first arrived,I wasn't sure if the "patina" had any value.
The car certainly wasn't cheap,and it seemed I paid for the story in part.
If you've watched Jay Leno at al,there's an episode about original cars!
After some time I've arrived at keeping everything original for now that survived. I want the car as close to factory deliverd as possible.
If that means removing stickers , replacing pitted chrome hardware,with original items with correct patina, then so be it.

What does everyone else think? Does the story have value?
Should the car be left alone? Tell me what you think?

Mike

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A car like this in my opinion, the originality IS the story. The rest of the story is just dressing. I think you have made a great decision.

Neal Jacobson.
1970 XR-7 White "Ginger"
1970 XR-7 Convertible Blue
1971 XR-7 Bright Blue with Blue "Up Beat" interior
1970 Standard 428CJ Competition Yellow The New Money Pit.
See ya on the hiways, The political and commercial morals of the United States are not merely food for laughter,
they are an entire banquet.
- Mark Twain -

Thanks for the help guys!
I'm going to focus on preservation first. I took it to a local car show recently, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder! lol
Maybe I'm a bit twisted, but I love the original patina this car has,probably because the 38k mile red GTE had been molested already. Thanks to Earl Scheib.

This is the only VIN that's exposed on most of the 68's I have.(GTE's included)

Last edited by 7.0 Litre Kid on 07 Oct 2017, 23:55, edited 1 time in total.